An alginate lyase-producing bacterium, designated AlyHP32(T), was isolated from the gut of sea urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) obtained from the South Sea, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain AlyHP32(T) were Gram-reaction-negative and motile with a single polar flagellum. The strain grew with 1-6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2-4 %) and at 4-30 °C (optimum 15-25 °C). Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and five housekeeping genes (atpA, pyrH, recA, rpoA and rpoD) revealed that strain AlyHP32(T) belonged to the genus Vibrio and formed a compact clade with the Vibrio splendidus group. However, DNA-DNA hybridization and fingerprints using the repetitive primers BOX and REP indicated that strain AlyHP32(T) was distinct from closely related species of the genus Vibrio. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) and C16:0. The DNA G+C content was 44.1 mol%. The predominant quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. Based on genotypic, phenotypic and DNA-DNA hybridization analysis, strain AlyHP32(T) represents a novel species of the genus Vibrio; the name Vibrio hemicentroti sp. nov. (type strain AlyHP32(T) = KCTC 32085(T) = DSM 26178(T)) is proposed for this novel taxon.